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Did you know March13th-17th was Pennsylvania Ag Literacy Week? It was a week to celebrate all that agriculture has to offer each and every one of us. It was a time to reflect on all of the hard work farmers do to provide us with food and fabric such as wool and cotton. Without farmers we would have no food. Farming is vital to all of our lives.

Hi, my name is Courtney Marvin and I am the Susquehanna County Alternate Dairy Princess and I'm here to tell you how I, along with the Susquehanna County Dairy Princess Holly Harvatine and other members of the Susquehanna County Dairy Promotion team celebrated Ag Literacy Week.

In celebration of such an important week our Dairy Promotion team visited classrooms throughout Susquehanna County to spread the importance of agriculture by reading and sharing information about farming. In order to reach all of the kindergarten, first and second grade classrooms in Susquehanna County we obtained the assistance of several adult and student volunteers. Together we have visited or will be visiting Blue Ridge, Choconut Valley, Forest City, Faith Mountain, Mountain View, Susquehanna Community, Lathrop Street and Elk Lake elementary schools. We planned visits to a total of eight schools which gave us the ability to share how agriculture and farming is vital to our community and world. In the classrooms we read the book, "The Day the Farmers Quit" written by Autumn Pequignot and illustrated by Kate Fallahee. After reading the book we discussed with the students the different types of farming and the role each farmer plays in our community. We discussed the types of produce they provide. Our message was to remind the students, "Without farmers we would have NO FOOD."

 

Courtney reading to a kindergarten class

As dairy promoters we couldn't let the opportunity go by without talking about dairy farms and the different types of dairy products. We encouraged students to eat three servings of dairy a day, yogurt, cheese or milk. We ended our visits with a game of farm bingo and passed out delicious string cheese to all. What a great week it was!

US Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09), joined by PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity and Sen. Lisa Baker, recently toured businesses and an educational facility in Bradford and Susquehanna counties, highlighting the benefits and community partnerships they have established.

Stops on the tour included Global Tungsten & Powders of Towanda; Susquehanna Career & Technology Center, Springville; Community Foundation/Commonwealth Charitable Management in Montrose, and C2G, Montrose.

"The Northern Tier has so much to offer its residents in terms of educational choices, employment opportunities with cutting edge companies, and partnerships within the region, contributing to a wonderful quality of life," Meuser commented. "The innovation, cooperation, and dedication I observed demonstrate a promising future for the region, and I am thankful to represent those who live within our 9th Congressional District. I am encouraged by the progress we are witnessing, and I look forward to outreach on the federal level to help ensure their endeavors are highly successful."

"I was thrilled that Congressman Meuser visited Global Tungsten & Powders, the largest tungsten smelter in the western world," said Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity. "As a former Vice President of GTP, I know firsthand the hard work and dedication each employee gives to make GTP so successful. I am proud that Bradford County's new congressman took time out of his busy schedule to tour the facility."

"One of the best aspects of serving as state Senator is seeing how many professionals are engaged in training workers and preparing them for the vital jobs in our local economy," stated Baker. "Small manufacturing, energy production, waste reduction and reclamation, and health care are all key sectors in the local economy. On such visits, I always gain better perspective on ideas for how state government can assist our communities in realizing local priorities, whether it be through law, regulation, funding, or some combination. The same is true for the groups outside government underwriting crucial services and programs, such as the Community Foundation."

Garrity joined Meuser at Global Tungsten & Powders, where she was employed as a vice president before winning election to office. Company officials provided an overview of their operations, while explaining some of the challenges they face in the global market, with China producing 80 percent of the tungsten worldwide, which is used in production and defense manufacturing. A plant tour highlighted an area where GTP plans to construct a new facility to streamline its operation and save resources.

Sen. Baker joined Meuser at Susquehanna Career & Technology Center in Springville, Susquehanna County. Dr. Ken Cuomo, superintendent and John Gazzillo, director, discussed the role the school is playing in preparing students to enter in-demand jobs in the workforce, including as CDL drivers, welders, health and food management professionals. The students of the food management program served lunch for the group on the tour.

A stop at Community Foundation/Commonwealth Charitable Management in Montrose highlighted the many residents who were assisted by the organizations, especially during the pandemic. Meuser and Baker were updated by Cristine Clayton, executive director and CEO, on some projects that impact residents, including students and senior citizens, during the visit.

The tour concluded at C2G, a company in Montrose that offers innovative solutions for the treatment of water from the fracking process, as well as the reuse of products related to this procedure.

Meuser also praised Bill desRosiers, external affairs manager for Coterra Energy, for his involvement, coordinating efforts with Susquehanna Career & Technology Center and local employers in creating a workforce with skills to be prepared for in-demand job opportunities.